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MILESTONES
CEREBRAL PALSY LANKA FOUNDATION
2014 – SRI LANKA
PREPARED BY
Gopi Kitnasamy BSc MCSP(UK) MIMDTP(UK)
Chartered Physiotherapist
Certified Paediatric Bobath Therapist
Founder / Director
Introduction
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the term used for a group of non progressive disorders of movement and posture caused by abnormal development of, or damage to, motor control centers of the brain. CP is caused by events before, during, or after birth. It is the most common physical disability in childhood. Despite substantial improvements in obstetric and neonatal care, the worldwide prevalence of cerebral palsy has remained stable at 2 to 3 per 1,000 live births for more than 40 years. Cerebral Palsy remains a significant health problem. The number of people affected by Cerebral Palsy has increased over time. Almost 17 million people around the world have Cerebral Palsy and there are nearly 1.5 – 2 million children and adults with Cerebral Palsy in United States (United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Foundation). 10,000 babies and infants are diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy annually in United States. In Sri Lanka, there are an estimated number of 40,000 children and adults with Cerebral Palsy. There are many undetected cases. Cerebral Palsy Lanka Foundation (CPLF) is the first and the only organization for children with Cerebral Palsy in Sri Lanka. It was started with an objective to provide educational and therapeutic services for children with Cerebral Palsy and associated movement disorders. It was started in 6th October 2011 at 7 Captain Kelum Rajapakse Mawatha, Wattala. “The Dream” center is the resource center of Cerebral Palsy Lanka Foundation (CPLF) started with the aim to
provide special education and therapy (Physio, Speech and Occupational) for the children with Cerebral Palsy in Sri
Lanka. At present, we have two centers one in Wattala and other one in Moratuwa and will soon start the third
center at Nugegoda. The mission of CPLF is to start atleast one such center in every district of Sri Lanka to help
these children in their localities.
Cerebral Palsy Helpline : 0714342247 or 0777554328
email : [email protected]
website : www.cplanka.org
6th October 2011 - Opening Ceremony of Cerebral Palsy Lanka Foundation (CPLF) at Wattala, which
is the first and the only organization for children with Cerebral Palsy and their families in Sri Lanka. It was officially
opened by Mr. Senarath Attanayake, currently a member of the Uva Provincial Council, Sri Lanka and was the
Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Land and Forestry of the Uva Provincial Council from 2000-2005 as
well as the acting Chief Minister for a brief period during this tenure. Mr. Attanayake is the first wheelchair user in
Sri Lanka to become a politician and lawyer and the only wheelchair user to hold a ministerial portfolio.
10th October 2011 - The Dream Center for children with Cerebral Palsy, which is the resource center
of CPLF started functioning at Wattala (Colombo North branch). It is first such center which is exclusively for
children with Cerebral Palsy.
28th October 2011 - Workshop for Parents with CP children organised by CPLF at Lady Ridegway
Hospital, Colombo was conducted by Dr. Taral Nagda, Paediatric Orthopedic Surgeon from Mumbai and Dr. Sunil
Wijesinghe, Orthopedic Surgeon from Lady Ridegway Hospital, Colombo.
26th January 2012 - Speech Therapy and Dysphagia Management workshop was conducted by Ms.
Sagasaki, Senior Pediatric Bobath (Speech) Therapist from Japan, for parents and Speech therapy students from
Kelaniya University.
January – April 2012 - Speech therapy students from Kelaniya University attended The Dream Center,
Wattala for their clinical placements.
8th March 2012 - Launching ceremony of Cerebral Palsy Information Services in Mobitel Liyasara by
Cerebral Palsy Lanka Foundation in collaboration with Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel at the Temple Trees by the
Madame Shiranthi Rajapakse, the First Lady of Sri Lanka.
8th May 2012 - The second branch and the South Colombo branch of The Dream center was officially
opened by Mr. Merrill J. Fernando founder of Dilmah Tea and MJF Foundation, at Moratuwa which was started in
partnership with MJF Foundation to help the Cerebral Palsy children in Colombo South area.
28th May – 2nd June 2012- The first ever “National Cerebral Palsy Awareness week” was organized by the
CPLF and launching ceremony was held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute. An awareness video about Cerebral
Palsy created by Leo Brunett, was released to the public and Media by Dr. F.R. Mehta, Country Director of the
World Health Organization in Sri Lanka and Mr. Jung Sun Hong, Senior International Paediatric Bobath instructor.
The first awareness and assessment camp was organized and conducted at Excel world, Colombo by CPLF with the
help of Recoup, Bangalore, India. Following which the awareness and assessment camp in 6 more districts
(Tangalle, Galle- 2 camps at 2 different centers, Kandy, Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Killinochchi) were conducted by
CPLF and nearly 600 children with their parents participated and benefitted. This project was supported by the
World Health Organization in Sri Lanka.
Assessment and awareness camp at Excel World, Colombo on 28th May 2012
Assessment and awareness camp at Navajeevana Center, Tangalle on 29th May 2012 (Morning)
Assessment and awareness camp at Mrs. Madhusani’s center, Galle on 29th May 2012 (Evening)
Assessment and awareness camp at Martin Wickramsinghe College, Habaraduwa, Galle on 30th May
2012
Assessment and awareness camp at Physiotherapy Department, Kandy General Hospital on 31st May 2012
Assessment and awareness camp at Professorial Unit, Anuradhapura General Hospital on 1st June 2012
CPLF in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Society of Physiotherapy organized the Asian Paediatric Bobath Therapy
course and was supported and funded by the World Health Organization in Sri Lanka, Introduction course and
workshop on Paediatric Bobath Therapy at the Banquet Hall, Excel World, Colombo from 29th May – 2nd June 2012.
This workshop was conducted by Mr. Jung Sun Hong, Senior International Paediatric Bobath instructor and his
team from South Korea. Nearly 38 Physiotherapists from Sri Lanka and 2 Physiotherapists from India participated
in this workshop and were trained to assess and treat children with Cerebral Palsy using Bobath Concept.
Assessment and awareness camp at Nursing School Hall, Jaffna on 2nd June 2012
Assessment and awareness camp at on Karuna Nilayam, Killinochchi 3rd June 2012
4th June 2012 - On the request of the parents of children with Cerebral Palsy, CPLF organized a special
assessment camp with the help of Mr. Jung Sun Hong, Senior International Paediatric Bobath instructor and his
team from South Korea and the Physiotherapists from Recoup, Bangalore, India at The Dream Center, Wattala.
2nd July 2012 - The second (The Dream ) center, started functioning successfully at Moratuwa with 10
Cerebral Palsy children . Now (January 2013), there are 35 children with Cerebral Palsy who are attending The
Dream center (Moratuwa) for special education and therapeutic services on a regular basis.
1st September 2012 - A Cerebral Palsy Awareness video was released at the Lanka Faces Special Night
at Nelum Pokuna theatre, Colombo with the help of Lanka Faces.
4th September 2012 - CPLF represented children and persons affected by Cerebral Palsy in Sri Lanka in
the first ever World Cerebral Palsy Day organized by Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Australia and participated by
organizations from 35 countries.
25th October 2012 - 5 times World Rowing Champion and 2012 Olympic Gold medallist, Mr. Mahe
Drysdale visited The Dream center at Wattala, along with Dr. F.R. Mehta, Country Director of the World Health
Organization in Sri Lanka, Mr. Senaka Silva, Consul for New Zealand in Sri Lanka and Mr. Senarath Attanayake,
which was organized by the T-Sips, Expolanka Teas (Pvt.) Ltd.
On the 25th October 2012 evening, at an event at Galle Face hotel, the winning Jersey of Mr. Mahe Drysdale was
auctioned by him and raised 2.35 million Sri Lankan Rupees, which was donated to the CPLF. An awareness video
about Cerebral Palsy and The Dream center, which was created by 5th Elephant team was also released on the
same day. This event and the auction was organized by the T-Sips, Expolanka Teas (Pvt.) Ltd.
2nd December 2012 - The students from "The Dream" Center for children with Cerebral Palsy, Wattala &
Moratuwa particpated in the Dream Cricket. This wonderful event was organized by Don Bradman Foundation,
Australia and The Rotary Club of Colombo West. There were 110 participants with special needs from all over the
country. It was organized to celebrate the "World Different Ability (Disability) Day", which was on the 3rd
December.
26th January 2013 - This year, it was the 20th Anniversary of Kala Pola which is the Sri Lanka’s highly popular
open-air art exhibition cum fair. Thanks to George Keyt Foundation and John Keells Foundation for helping these
wonderful artists in Sri Lanka by organizing this great event. We are very grateful that on the request of Cerebral
Palsy Lanka Foundation(CPLF), they gave this wonderful opportunity to exhibit the artwork done by children with
special needs and underprivileged children. Children from "The Dream" Center for children with Cerebral Palsy
(Resource center of CPLF), MJF Foundation(MJF) and Nobuchi Children's Home exhibited their paintings. At this
event "Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Group of Sri Lanka" which is a subsidiary of CPLF was started. Ms.Dulanjali
Ariyatilaka is heading the group and Ms. Rashmi Gunawardene will be the first member of it. They also exhibited
their paintings
done with their feet at the Kala Pola 2013. More than 300 artists from Sri Lanka participated in this event and we
are proud to say that our 12 young specially talented artists (5 from CPLF, 5 from MJF and Dulanjali and Rashmi)
were also part of it. Our special thanks to Cinnamon Grand, Public Relations team for organizing this event.
10th February 2013 - With God’s blessings and help from kind hearted people, Cerebral Palsy Lanka
Foundation (CPLF) was able to raise funds for 10 wheelchairs for the children and adults at Sister Rita's Marcsri
home, Kalutara. This is a wonderful place, many say it as an orphanage but this is a great home and family for
these kids! These kids have different types of physical disabilities (I remember the quote "Disability is the Inability
to see Ability" but one thing in common, the happiness and courage! We are happy that we met Dulanjali
Ariyatilaka (head of the "Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Group of Sri Lanka" a subsidiary of CPLF), it is because of
her, we were met these wonderful kids! These wheelchairs will be useful for them to go around, out and to
school.
17th-19th March 2013 - Our Cerebral Palsy Awareness video titled “Whistle Story” won two awards at the
ADFEST 2013, held at Pattaya, Thailand. This video was created by the director Mr. Subhash Pinnapola and
his team from Leo Burnett, Sri Lanka. This video was was released to the public and Media by Dr. F.R. Mehta,
Country Director of the World Health Organization in Sri Lanka and Mr. Jung Sun Hong, Senior International
Paediatric Bobath instructor on the launching ceremony of the “National Cerebral Palsy Awareness week” which
was organized by the CPLF and was held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute on the 28th May 2012.
18th June 2013 - Cerebral Palsy Lanka Foundation has got the copyrights and the translation rights for both Sinhala and Tamil versions of “You and Your Disabled Child” which is a practical guide for all parents with a special child. The first copy of the book was handed over to Madame Shiranthi Rajapakse, First Lady of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka by Master Danush Gopi at the President’s house.
30th August- 2nd September 2013- Awareness and assessment camps were organized and conducted by CPLF
for the second time with the help of Recoup, Bangalore, India. The programs were conducted in three districts
(Kandy, Killinochchi, Colombo- 2 camps at Moratuwa and Wattala) Killinochchi) and nearly 100 children with their
parents participated and benefitted.
Assessment and awareness camp at Kandy on 30th August 2013
Assessment and awareness camp at Killinochchi on y 31st August 2013
Assessment and awareness camp at Moratuwa, 1st September 2013
Assessment and awareness camp at Wattala, 2nd September 2013
2012
2nd October 2013 - CPLF launched the Cerebral Palsy Information Services in all three local languages (Sinhala,
Tamil & English) created by Cerebral Palsy Lanka Foundation and supported by Mobitel! We launched this service
via Mobitel, on the World Cerebral Palsy Day and sent a sms to Celebrate "World Cerebral Palsy Day" and create
awareness about Cerebral Palsy.
4th October 2013 - The World's first Android (mobile & Tablet) App for Cerebral Palsy was created and launched by
Cerebral Palsy Lanka Foundation. It’s a completely free App, created to help the users with information about
Cerebral Palsy which will connect user to various organizations working for children with Cerebral Palsy around
the world.
6th November 2013 - First Wheelchair Swing and Inclusive Play Area at "The Dream" Center for children with
Cerebral Palsy, Wattala was started by CPLF.
20th - 24th January 2014 – CPLF organized a workshop Bobath Paediatric Approach by Mr.Hong Jung Sun, PT, MPH,
Senior International Bobath Paediatric Instructor for the therapists from India and Sri Lanka. This was conducted
at the Cerebral Palsy Conference: Recent advances in Functional Rehabilitation of Cerebral Palsy, Bangalore in
collaboration with the Recoup hospital.
23rd February 2014 - The students from "The Dream" Center for children with Cerebral Palsy, Wattala &
Moratuwa particpated in the Dream Cricket. This wonderful event was organized by Don Bradman Foundation,
Australia and The Rotary Club of Colombo West. There were 110 participants with special needs from all over the
country.
2nd April 2014 – A wheelchair swing was installed at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children and the
Viharamahadevi park near Townhall to make it as the first Inclusive public park in Sri Lanka. This project was
funded by the World Health Organization in Sri Lanka. This “Wheelchair Swing” which is an innovative and worthy
initiative by CPLF, was made using the local resources available in Sri Lanka. CPLF is taking initiatives to install this
swing in all the public parks in Sri Lanka.
5th April 2014 - It was a wonderful day and a great surprise for the kids and the staffs at The Dream center, seeing
Mr. & Mrs. Muttiah Muralidharan. The Legend Cricketer and his wife visited The Dream Center at Wattala. The
kids had a great time with them!
10th – 20th April 2014 – “Around the Pearl” a joint initiative by CPLF and Wheels for Wheels to fund raise for 1000
wheelchairs which will be donated to the children with Cerebral Palsy in Sri Lanka. These are special wheelchairs
which will be donated to the poor families with these children in Sri Lanka. This will be an ongoing project to fund
raise more wheelchairs to be donated to children and adults with Cerebral Palsy in Sri Lanka.
27th May 2014 - The IPhone version of the World's first App for Cerebral Palsy was launched by Cerebral Palsy
Lanka Foundation. It’s a completely free App, created to help the users with information about Cerebral Palsy
which will connect user to various organizations working for children with Cerebral Palsy around the world.
22nd June 2014 – A workshop on Positioning and Hand Function for children with CP was organized by Cerebral
Palsy Lanka Foundation for the therapists and the teachers of The Dream Center, Wattala. The resource person for
this workshop was Ms. Shamini Logannathan, an Occupational Therapist from Singapore, who was on
International clinical placement from Coventry university, United Kingdom.
6th August 2014 - Art & Craft Exhibition 2014, an exhibition of work done by the students of The Dream Center for
Children with Cerebral Palsy was held at Wattala. A felicitation program for the heroes of “Around the Pearl"
project was also organized by CPLF on the same day. The theme for 2014 exhibition was "With A Little Help, We
Can Do It!"
August 27th-31st, 2014 - The Wheelchair Services Training for Physiotherapists in Sri Lanka 2014 was organized by Cerebral Palsy Lanka Foundation (CPLF) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Society of Physiotherapy, Government Physiotherapists’ Association in Sri Lanka and The Spastic Society of Tamil Nadu (SPASTN) from 27th – 31st August 2014. This intensive training workshop was held for 5 days at The Neurotrauma unit Auditorium at the National Hospital, Colombo and funded by the World Health Organization in Sri Lanka. Four wheelchair services training experts from SPASTN functioned as resource persons for this workshop and 36 Physiotherapists from almost all districts of Sri Lanka participated in this workshop. At the end of this 5 days’ workshop, Wheelchair Services Sri Lanka group was formed and Physiotherapists representing each districts in Sri Lanka joined the group as representatives to co-ordinate future activities.
4th & 5th September 2014 - Sensory Integration Therapy workshop was organized by Cerebral Palsy Lanka
Foundation for the therapists and the teachers of both Wattala and Moratuwa centers. It was held at The Dream
Center, Wattala. The resource person for this 2 days workshop was Mr. Poovazhagan Ulaganathan, a
Physiotherapist who is certified in Neuro Developmental Therapy and Sensory Integration Therapy (USA)
12th September 2014 – Cerebral Palsy Lanka Foundation started the Wheelchair Services in Sri Lanka with the first
camp at a Special unit in a Primary School in Laxapana, Hatton. It was a wonderful experience and we met many
parents and children with special needs. We gave them few Paediatric wheelchairs and trained the parents on
how to use it and take care of their children in the wheelchair.
20th September 2014 - Dr. Deepak Sharan, Paediatric Orthopedic Surgeon and Medical Director of Recoup
Hospital, Bangalore, visited The Dream Center for Children with Cerebral Palsy at Wattala. The parents of children
with Cerebral Palsy had the opportunity to consult him and get his advice. It was a great opportunity for them.
21st September 2014 - A workshop on “Recent Advances in Rehabilitation of Cerebral Palsy” was organized by
Cerebral Palsy Lanka Foundation for the Physiotherapists. It was held at The Dream Center, Wattala. The resource
person for this workshop was Mr. Mathankumar Mohandoss, a Senior Physiotherapist from Recoup Hospital,
Bangalore.
29th September 2014 -Dr. F.R. Mehta (WHO Country Representative for Sri Lanka) with his family visited The
Dream Center for Children with Cerebral Palsy at Wattala. We celebrated the "World Cerebral Palsy Day". It was a
wonderful event!
29th September 2014 – First Inclusive Park in Sri Lanka was launched by Cerebral Palsy Lanka Foundation with the
support of World Health Organization (WHO), Urban Development Authority (UDA) and Colombo Municipal
Council (CMC). This swing was designed by us and made in Sri Lanka. This will be the start and will have more
inclusive parks in Sri Lanka. This was launched to mark the “World Cerebral Palsy Day”.
28th October 2014 - Dr. Jayanth Sampath, Consultant Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon from BIMRA (Bangalore
Institute of Movement Research and Analysis) Bangalore, India, visited The Dream Center for Children with
Cerebral Palsy at Wattala. The parents of children with Cerebral Palsy had the opportunity to consult him and get
his advice. It was a great opportunity for them.
18th November 2014 - Miss World - Sri Lanka Ms. Chulakshi Ranathunga's visit to The Dream Center for Children
with Cerebral Palsy, Wattala. She is our ambassador for Cerebral Palsy in 2014. Thank you Chulakshi for helping to
create awareness about Cerebral Palsy in Sri Lanka!
3rd December 2014 - The Dream Concert and the World Disability Day Celebrations was organized by the Cerebral
Palsy Lanka Foundation at The Dream Center, Wattala. Mr. Subinay Nandy, United Nations Representative for Sri
Lanka was the Chief Guest and Mr. Senarath Attanayake, UVA Provincial Council Member was the Guest of honor.
We were honored and privileged by the inspirational presence of them along with Mrs. Nandy and Mrs.
Attanayake. The performances of the students of The Dream were excellent. It was a fantastic show! A great way
to celebrate the World Disability Day!
3rd December 2014 - 20 Wheelchairs were donated to children and adults with disabilities on the World Disability
Day. This was made possible by the kind sponsor from the Rotary Club of Colombo Down Town and the efforts of
Mr. Yasas Hewage, President of the club.
There was a girl who desperately needed a wheelchair and she came all the way from Hatton (119KM oneway) in a
3 wheeler to get a free wheelchair. There are thousands like her in Sri Lanka who are in need of a wheelchair for
their mobility and can't afford to buy one. We are trying our best to help all of them.
21st December 2014 - Appropriate Paper Based Technology (APT) Workshop was organized for the first time in Sri
Lanka by CPLF jointly with the University of Kelaniya. This workshop was held as a post "A Voice for All"
conference workshop. Mrs. Nigamaja Hariharan, Paediatric Physiotherapist was the resource person for this
workshop. Therapists, Teachers and parents from many districts of Sri Lanka participated and got trained in APT.
